The Good Life
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Hiding out with the kids By Vivienne Pearson
Family time at the Treehouse We went to Treehouse at Belongil on Friday night. They look after the kids, they make great wood-fired pizzas, they know how to make a good Negroni, there’s a relaxed vibe, low-key décor, a good range on the menu and often a bit of live music. It’s a great place in summer, whether you’re cruising in for lunch off the beach or hanging out with some food and drinks with friends in the evening. Photo: A Haslam.
Many people dream of owning a cafe. Ajmal (AJ) Barikzai was not one of those people. Yet he is now the proud owner of The Hideout, a hidden gem of a cafe off Bay Lane in Byron Bay. The driving force behind his change from being more than gainfully employed in the world of corporate finance in Sydney was his children. After his marriage ended, AJ’s kids moved with their mother to Byron Bay. AJ desperately wanted to be close to them but couldn’t find work in his specialised field nearby, even in Brisbane. So, he took the plunge into hospitality. ‘Now I’m a coffee maker, a cook, a dishwasher and I’m front-ofhouse,’ AJ says. ‘And a builder and painter,’ he adds, referring to his whirlwind renovation of the space that was previously Cool Kats Café – AJ kept the name until the business felt settled enough to make that change. AJ is refreshingly honest when he says that he didn’t know the first thing about running a cafe – something he has in common with many who dream of owning one. ‘On my first day, I didn’t know what to do, so I put myself on dishes,’ says AJ. ‘I did that until I could keep up with the demand for glasses and cutlery, then I learned about coffee, then everything else.’ He gives full credit to his staff, especially those who made the transition from the previous owner during the amicable handover. Of Bec Bloomfield, manager, he says: ‘She’s been here six years and is the key to this place’. Diego Moro, the main barista, has been there for four years and Brendan Arthur, the chef, also received high AJ-praise. The cafe is a lovely hideout spot. It has a small inside area dominated by a corrugated-iron bar and exposed brick (which AJ discovered by accident during the renovations!). The outside area is decked, roofed and able to be made weatherproof when needed. The menu offers all-day breakfast, pastas, salads, burgers and
wraps. Beer, cider, and a conversational wine list are open to people who are eating. Try the Alchemy sparkling waters – not too sweet and delightfully refreshing. The Hideout is part of the growing new laneway scene in Byron, being across the small car park from Red Hot & Green and Light Years and next door to Orgasmic Food. AJ loves his unexpected Byron sea change, is proud of his cafe and is happy to have achieved his aim of being a hands-on dad. AJ’s seven-year-old daughter, Tahmina, and five-year-old son, Idris, go to Byron Community School and, of course, love visiting The Hideout with their dad. The Hideout, Shop 6, 13 Lawson Street (in practice – via Bay Lane, behind the Beach Hotel). 7 days, 7.30am–3pm. Ph: 6680 3900, Instagram: @thehideoutbyronbay
Parents in business and the business of parenting Read any media stories about a woman in business and it will likely focus on whether or not they have children and, if they do, how they manage to ‘do it all’. The word mother may be bandied about more prominently than her work-related role. It’s the opposite when the story is about a man. Male businesspeople’s personal lives, let alone their parenting responsibilities, rarely rate a mention. Aside from being quietly furious about this double standard, my approach when writing is to find out about a business owner’s children only if the topic comes up in conversation. I include details in the story if they are relevant and if I have permission to do so. I hope I do this equally for men and women. For AJ from The Hideout – see story opposite – his children are the driving force for his entire business. So, regardless of his gender, his children are the focus of the story. I am impressed by AJ’s dedication to his parenting role (as I would be with a parent of either gender who gave up an established career to be with their kids) and appreciate his honesty in allowing his fatherhood role to be front and centre of his story.
Good Taste
Eating Out Guide echo.net.au/good-taste
BYRON BAY
BALLINA
Fishheads
Ballina RSL Club
Level One Café Special
1 Grant St, Ballina 6681 9500 www.ballinarsl.com.au Open 7 Days Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks
A Flat Bread Pizza & a schooner of Iron Jack Lager or a glass of Long Row Red, White or Sparkling wine or Nine Vines Rosé.... Just $20
7:30am till late Coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, functions and weddings. Fully licensed.
11am to 8pm daily. We practise the responsible service of alcohol.
1 Jonson St, Byron Bay 6680 7632
Wharf Bar & Restaurant
WATERFRONT DINING Come watch the boats go by and the dolphins play whilst you take in one of our SENSATIONAL SUNSETS
Open 7.30am Daily. Open till late Thurs–Sun Coffee, breakfast, lunch & dinner, functions & weddings. Fully Licensed. 12-24 Fawcett St, Ballina 6686 5259 / 6685 6011
WharfBarBallina@gmail.com.au www.WharfBarBallina.com.au
Success Thai Mon-Fri 12-3pm Dinner 7 days from 5pm. 3/109 Jonson St, Byron Bay 6680 7798 www.facebook.com/ pages/Success-ThaiFood/237359826303469
Slo-mo Joes
BANGALOW
Butcher Baker Coffee / Breakfast / Lunch 7 days from 7am Dinner Friday & Saturday Nights 13 Byron Street, Bangalow 6687 2088
HAPPY HOUR every Friday & Saturday 5–6.30pm $12 tapas share plates and $5 tap beer & cider Offering a relaxed atmosphere in one of Bangalow’s beautiful heritage buildings, Butcher Baker has a fresh local menu, in-house bakery with freshly baked sourdoughs, sweet treats and fantastic local coffee. Fully licensed with Australian local craft beer on tap and a carefully curated wine list. www.butcherbaker.com.au @butcherbakerbangalow
BRUNSWICK HEADS
Bernardi’s Gelato & Espresso Bar
Open 7 days 9am–5pm Salad bar closes 3pm Juice bar closes from 4pm 22 Fingal St, Brunswick Heads 6685 1988
62 December 20, 2017 The Byron Shire Echo
New Salad Bar offering custom made fresh sandwiches/rolls/wraps. Mouthwatering Jaffle Menu. Free-range meats, gluten free options. Extensive Juice & smoothie Menu Traditional Italian Gelato made in house.
Open every day From 11am till late Corner of Fletcher St and Bay Lane, Byron Bay
6685 7502 IG - @slomojoes
Main Street Open 7 days 11.30am until late Call to make a reservation or for takeaway orders 18 Jonson Street 6680 8832
BEACH FRONT CHRISTMAS PARTY Call us today to start planning your Christmas celebrations! 6685 6011 functions@fishheadsbyron.com.au www.fishheadsbyron.com.au
SPECIAL $12 LUNCH AND DINNER MENU All your favourites every lunch and dinner Experienced Thai chefs cooking fresh delicious Thai food for you. Fully Licensed and B.Y.O. for wine. Welcome for lunch, dinner and take-away. DAILY HAPPY HOUR FROM 3 TILL 5 PM Slow down & chill out! Immerse yourself in Slo-mo Joes relaxing vibes while you enjoy live music & delicious flavours inspired from around the world. There’s something for everyone; from slow-cooked meats to mouth-watering burgers and nutritious salads. Guaranteed to leave you wanting more!
Gourmet burgers created by chefs Cocktails, wine and beers served all damn day. Group bookings available, please email mainstreetburgerbar@gmail.com for reservations.
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